Think tank publication studies role of nonprofit groups

The ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management (CNLM) has released “Speak Out, Speak Up,” a proceedings paper based on the role of nonprofits in public policy and advocacy, which took place April 4 as part of the ninth annual Forum on Nonprofit Effectiveness. The forum was titled “Speak Out! Empowering Nonprofits to Help Shape Public Dialogue.”<br /><br />The think tank, moderated by Rob Melnick, the director of ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, gathered leaders from a variety of agencies, including nonprofits, corporations and government.<br /><br />“Speak Out, Speak Up” captures the lively and involved discussions had by think tank participants concerning whether nonprofits should engage in advocacy and how best to engage in the process of public policy. The 12-page publication also provides a listing of acceptable advocacy activities, tax facts, a listing of online advocacy resources and a wealth of firsthand knowledge and experience.<br /><br />“Every nonprofit, despite its mission, size or scope, should actively consider ways to intersect into the public policy and advocacy arena,” says Robert Ashcraft, the director of ASU’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management. “There are numerous myths operating that keep many nonprofits from participating. This think tank publication is a helpful analysis of the possibilities as offered by champions of the nonprofit sector in Arizona.”<br /><br />The free publication can be downloaded in PDF form at the Web site http://nonprofit.asu.edu. It also can be obtained by calling the center at (602) 496-0500.<br /><br /><a href="/amy.ohara@asu.edu">Amy Cox O’Hara</a>, (602) 496-0185<br /> Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management</p>